Ketamine review supports early postoperative pain relief, with other outcomes less certain
The review found the most consistent evidence for lower pain and opioid use soon after surgery. Evidence for delirium and other cognitive problems remained insufficient.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Ketamine and esketamine given around surgery were linked to lower early postoperative pain and opioid use in this review. Other outcomes had less consistent or less certain support, especially cognitive complications. These findings concern medicines used within surgical recovery care and do not establish benefits for sleep, mood or cognition in the wider population.
The authors identify substantial variation between studies, small samples, limited statistical power, inconsistent outcome measurements and short follow-up. The abstract also omits numerical effect estimates and detailed comparison treatments.
Confidence differed by outcome
The review rated evidence for esketamine-related improvements in nausea, vomiting and early sleep quality as moderate certainty. Early depression symptoms also improved, especially among patients with preexisting depression, while evidence on cognitive complications was insufficient.
Early results have a limited horizon
Most highlighted findings concerned the immediate recovery period. Short follow-up leaves lasting effects uncertain, and the review did not determine optimal dosing strategies. Its abstract cannot resolve which surgical patients would benefit most.
The original publication
Perioperative Ketamine and Esketamine for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): A Systematic Review.
Xu M, Zhu R, She YJ et al.
J Invest Surg · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41814842
- Record checked
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